JTA

[Seansene]

So I was thinking, what does it take to set up a car dealership (besides a whole load cash)?

[Snoopytan]

jta showroom is on premises of old rover showroom.

 

understand from newspaper some mths back that they are considering to sell the place. but this place sits on some septic tank or what and cannot be used for many alternative purposes.

[Roadblock]

Sean, you thinking of setting one? Kekeke...

Loads of cash is all you need, because it can buy a building for a showroom, buy equipments for a workshop, hire talents and market the brand aggressively. Its a capital intensive business.

 

 

 

So I was thinking, what does it take to set up a car dealership (besides a whole load cash)?

[Seansene]

Well, theoretically at least, I was wondering what it takes. Seeing how most people I've spoken to complain about the car-buying process (ok, a lot of it has to do with COEs), could anyone do better? Provide honest, transparent service, and put the customer - not profits first? Of course capital is needed, but that's what banks are for. What I'm referring to is that something extra that earns the customers trust, because that's what ultimately gets you loyalty and repeat business, and that is priceless. If other sectors can do it (hotels, even audio shops), why can't car dealers?

 

 

Sean, you thinking of setting one? Kekeke...

Loads of cash is all you need, because it can buy a building for a showroom, buy equipments for a workshop, hire talents and market the brand aggressively. Its a capital intensive business.

 

 

 

So I was thinking, what does it take to set up a car dealership (besides a whole load cash)?

[Myfocus]

Focus still with 5 year warranty. Laser is 3 years I think.

 

Driving experience is totally different, choice will depend on driving style.

Different accoustic engineers too :-)

 

The Focus hatch is pretty chic, Ford's build quality has improved significantly as well. Wonder Regent still provides 5yr warranty???

 

Laser is a Mazda 323 so not that unique and the Lancer is everywhere!

[Roadblock]

I guess it will take a least a million to be a car distributor with the smallish size like JTA. Yes, in terms of after sales service, car dealers & distributors are seriously lacking in it.

 

Well, theoretically at least, I was wondering what it takes. Seeing how most people I've spoken to complain about the car-buying process (ok, a lot of it has to do with COEs), could anyone do better? Provide honest, transparent service, and put the customer - not profits first? Of course capital is needed, but that's what banks are for. What I'm referring to is that something extra that earns the customers trust, because that's what ultimately gets you loyalty and repeat business, and that is priceless. If other sectors can do it (hotels, even audio shops), why can't car dealers?

[Fabiaman]

TLim's departure at JTA is the latest gossip for all Skodians. Nothing surprising really since the workshop/aftersales and the showroom/sales dept dont seem to see eye to eye and communication is a major issue sometimes.

 

Sales execs promised customers things that aftersales cannot deliver. Sounds like a typical nightmare. Its crazy that a setup that expensive as a car distributor can be so immature in the handling of clients' orders. Or maybe they shld just stick to the Chairman & the Musso as the prdt they represent.

 

I just hope Tlim replacement (if any - I feel most likely it will be an existing staff - maybe Alex?) can be smart enough to smell the problem in the company and swerve through all obstacles.

 

So how, my trembling issue supposed to be solved in Feb 2002 s promised by Tlim... now vanishing in thin air? Pls dun!

[Icezman]

The inevitable has finally happened.

 

TLim's departure as well as the possiblility of Skoda's dealership changing hands. When can we ever see the light at the end of the tunnel??

 

Pray hard it's not Alex. He's one with a glib tongue who IMHO, cannot be really trusted. Whoever's coming in will have a hard time dealing with all the outstanding issues.

 

I sure hope a big fish come in soon and eat up JTA. It's becoming a big joke!

[Bobby]

Hi All,

 

Firstly I would like to thank all the forumers who have contributed to this thread.

 

I've just booked a Skoda Octavia (promised to deliver b4 CNY). I fell in love with the car the moment I test drive it. I had originally shortlisted several car model and Skoda was never in my list to begin with. After running down my list I've decided to take a look at Skoda as it was near to the rest of the showrooms. Upon first inspection I was attracted by its built quality and stylish design but upon driving it I was even more impressed by its performance. My only concern then was the brand the reliability of the of the agent. After doing some research I was convinced of the reliability and quality of the car itself. Also, I was assured after finding out VW group was behind the remake of the new Skodas. That leave me with only one other consideration - the local after sales support. I've finally decided to book the car even though I still have this lingering doubt in my mind bcos I was too eager to own the car. My heart ruled over my head!

 

My greatest nightmare came thru upon discovering this forum. I wish I'd known this forum earlier. I wonder whether it was too late to cancel my booking after reading all the problems encounter by all the Skodas owners in this forum. Even if it cost me a small penalty I'm willing to consider. Despite my concern I must say I still like the car but now my head has taken over. After reading all the feedback I've yet to come accross any owners who make a +ve comment. It's sad because it was really a great car. I wonder whether JTA is aware of the feedback but I'm going to confront them.

 

'POTENTIAL SKODA BUYERS PLEASE BE AWARE"

 

Regards

[DoctorDrake]

Hi Bobby,

 

JTA are painfully aware of the negative market sentiment about their operations. It will be interesting to know what they have to say when you talk to them. I too am a recent Octavia 1.8T owner. Love the car, but been trying to get some issues resolved since taking delivery mid-December 2001. It's been a bit of a hassle, but patient persistence and some give and take have paid off so far.

 

/DD

[Fabiaman]

Bobby, in not too many words, think twice before you cancel your booking.

 

Why?

 

Because your booking fee has been utilised to ensure delivery for the shipment of new Skodas to buyers who booked a month or two earlier than you. You will only get you car provided next month or 2, business for JTA are constant and don't suffer any mishap. So if you cancel your booking and expect to get your money back...you might be surprised.

 

All in all, what I described above is what a company in cashflow problem would do.

[Bobby]

Hi DoctorDrake,

 

What problems did you encounter with your 'NEW' car ? Was it a technical problem or problem relating to JTA service ?

 

How do you feel about the car after owning it for a month ? Would you recommend the car to other potential buyers ?

 

Appreciate your comments.

 

Bobby

[Bobby]

Hi Fabiaman,

 

I've just been informed by my salesman that the car that was promised us can only come in in early Mar ( exactly what you said ) despite giving us assurance that the shipment is already on it's way when we booked in Dec. After insisting that I must get the car before CNY ( as stated in the sales order ) or else I may have the right to cancel the booking, I was then offered the car albeit of a different colour. Technically I think I have the right to cancel my booking although I have not make up my mind yet.

 

I hope to get some feedback from all the forummers to help me make up my mind.

 

Bobby

[DoctorDrake]

First, what I feel about the car one month on. Love it. OK, so it doesn't have the posh interior of a VW or Audi, but I bought it because its a damned good drive, and the fact that my pockets are shallow. And yes, I would recommend the car to potential buyers, but only if they can put up with niggling problems. This is after all a Skoda. But then again, the car is under warranty so no big deal. It's just inconvenient.

 

No technical problems with the car. Happy with JTA service, even if it taken some persistence to get things sorted out.

 

So what was wrong? As I walked up to the car to do the pre-delivery inspection, the first thing I saw was a dent on the front passenger door. Aiyoh! Heart pain already. A short while later, I spotted a pretty obvious flaw in the paintwork at the base of the left hand C pillar. Furthermore, the paintwork still had micro-bumps in places, particularly on the roof. And the quality of the polishing job was at best adequate -- there were "spider webs" all over the car.

 

If you want to follow the as yet unfinished saga, you can take a peep at the thread in the SOG:

 

http://forums.delphiforums.com/SkodaOwnerG...ges/?msg=383.22

 

Hi DoctorDrake,

 

What problems did you encounter with your 'NEW' car ? Was it a technical problem or problem relating to JTA service ?

 

How do you feel about the car after owning it for a month ? Would you recommend the car to other potential buyers ?

 

Appreciate your comments.

 

Bobby

[DoctorDrake]

Heh heh. When I booked by car in early November I wanted my Octy 1.8T(A) in silver. When told that I would have to wait until January/February, I decided to take the dark metallic blue that they already had in stock. The sales rep rang me in a panic on registration day and said that the interior trim colour was biscuit. Die lah! Didn't like the colour, and I had already chosen dark grey leather for the seats. I drove out to the workshop to take a look, and then thumbed through the leather colour swatches to look for a matching colour. Didn't find one that came even close. So was resigned to a pretty funky colour combo. The Parts & Warranty Manager came back from lunch just as we were leaving, and whipped out another leather colour, a light tan. Special order required. Heng ah!

 

So now, although dark metallic blue isn't my preferred colour and I didn't like the biscuit trim, the overall result is rather pleasant!

 

Hi Fabiaman,

 

I've just been informed by my salesman that the car that was promised us can only come in in early Mar ( exactly what you said ) despite giving us assurance that the shipment is already on it's way when we booked in Dec. After insisting that I must get the car before CNY ( as stated in the sales order ) or else I may have the right to cancel the booking, I was then offered the car albeit of a different colour. Technically I think I have the right to cancel my booking although I have not make up my mind yet.

 

I hope to get some feedback from all the forummers to help me make up my mind.

 

Bobby

[Fabiaman]

You said

 

,"After insisting that I must get the car before CNY ( as stated in the sales order ) or else I may have the right to cancel the booking, I was then offered the car albeit of a different colour. Technically I think I have the right to cancel my booking although I have not make up my mind yet. "

 

When you have offered a different colour for delivery before CNY, did you agree or not? If you do not, better make up your mind and after that , get it in writing, CNY is not exactly too far away! If you do, is it in writing?

 

Most impt consideration you have to make is WHEN can they refund your cash if you cancel the booking? Confirm that and get that in writing as well. Remember, cash is a scarce commodity esp to them and getting cash from them is like drawing blood from the depleted blood bank (remember, patients / owners are on the queue for blood)

 

My suggestion is that if you do not get back the refund in a short period of time, consider buying the car lah. Whichever you think will come faster - cash or car, take the option that yield the fastest outcome so that your sleepless nights are shortened.

[Bobby]

Sounds familiar ! Now I'm expecting another call soon about the leather seats ...

[Turbobrick]

Doc, the leather seats are factory fitted? Quite good quality coming from Skoda eh?